Google and Its Workplace

The culture of an organization defines its workplace environment and employee productivity. This means that employee freedom is crucial in the current generation of employees, since it help to boost team work, innovation and creativity. This can be explained by looking at Google work environment (Blanchard, Carlos, & Randolph 1996).

Employee freedom triggers creativity, innovation and teamwork.

Google is an American based multinational corporation. It specializes on internet based related services and products. These products include search engine, cloud computing, online advertising, social networking (Google +) and software. Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin students at Stanford University. They started Google as a research project, in 1996 when they were both PhD students (Google.com, 2008).

Google is leader in global technology, and it has concentrated in making sure it improves how information is organized, and retrieved. This is through creation of search engines, which help users to locate information with ease, and quickly. Google has incorporated innovation in search engines, and advertising. This has made Google to be one of the leaders in internet, maintaining its lead in online index. It has always been competing with Yahoo, Microsoft and Bing in search engines, and Facebook in online advertisements (Google.com, 2010).

Google revenue is generated through advertisements. These advertisements are cost effective, a well-targeted. Businesses utilize Google AdWords program, to get targeted advertisements. This allow user to plan their marketing niche, and plan. Google utilize Google AdSense to advertise on third party sites, making it one of the dominating online advertising companies (Google.com, 2008).

Management Team

Larry page and Sergey Brin are the founders of Google, and since then Google has grown to attain over 30,000 employees worldwide. Larry Page is the CEO and he takes care of daily operations and leads the company’s product development and technology strategies. Eric E Schmidt is the executive chairman, and he is responsible for Google external matters. He is involved in building partnerships, government outreaches, and broadening company’s relationships. Sergey Brin directs special projects and he is also a co-founder. Nikesh Arora is the senior vice president and the chief business officer. He is responsible for marketing, overseeing revenue and customer operations. Patrick Pichette is the senior vice president and the chief financial officer (Google.com, 2008).

Google business strategy is diversity and this is witnessed within Google workplace. Google management has tried to be a local company in all countries it is in operation. Google believe in hiring the best talents in the market, to create a diverse environment in terms of ideas, perspective, and culture (Google.com, 2008). Google believes this is the foundation of better services and products. This diversity serves Google customers well, as well as stakeholders. Google has worked hard to create a collaborative, innovative and inclusive environment. To support diversity, Google has created university outreach initiatives, and support, with the aim of identifying talented and innovative students.

Google has worked hard to eliminate ageism, racism, and sexism. This is through advocating the philosophy of pluralism in their workplace. This has seen reduction in any form of discrimination, improving teamwork. In Google working environment, people believe they are respected and accepted. This is one way of boosting, morale, and self-esteem which are needed in innovation Google.com, 2008).

To understand the growth experienced by Google, I will look through effective leadership. Effective leadership at Google is experienced through employee empowerment. Empowerment is letting go authority, and giving employees freedom in making some decisions. Google understands that modern employees work well through team work, innovation, and managerial flexibility. First, Google removed any unnecessary hierarchies, which gave engineers freedom to work, and make decisions. It promoted informal working environment, where employees are treated well and awarded various necessities (Google.com, 2010).

Second, Google workplace culture is built around fun. The office which is located at Mountain View California is a good example of Google culture (Google.com, 2008). Offices in this complex are decorated with lave lamps and the walls have bright colors. This is a sign of Google beliefs, and culture; in most cases, such decorations are seen too formal for such a giant corporation.

Third, Google employees, or Googlers are allowed to go to their offices with formal attire, provided they are decent. They can also come along with their pets, and they are provided with free snacks, lunch and dinner. In additional, there is a room where Googlers can get cereals, fruit juice, cashew nuts and other healthy vegetables at no cost. For moms, Google allow them a maternity leave of 18 weeks and dads are allowed seven weeks (Google.com, 2008).

Fourth, Google has created a work place to be fun, thorough installing a gym. This encourages employees to have regular workouts, and promote healthy living. Googlers are also allowed nap time, within the complex, especially after lunch. These culture acts a way of empowering employees. To boost production, Google has emphasized team achievement. Achieving teams are recognized with gifts, holidays, tours and other interesting activities (Google.com, 2008).

Lastly, Google does not hold formal meetings; they hold lunchtime brainstorming conversations, which ensure individual contribution. During such meetings, everyone is treated equal, and there are no leaders (Google.com, 2010). This reduces power distances between the management and the employees. Employees have the freedom to take risks, which help to build their creativity and innovation. They utilize the Maslow’s hierarchy theory of needs. This makes sure employees feel a sense of team which reduces any form of competition.